Why is the argument that breastfeeding in public is okay because its "natural" valid, after all, sex is natural too, and like it or not, breasts have become sexual organs in our society.

I am just curious about this argument for breastfeeding in public, that it should be okay since its "natural". I am not talking about those who cover up, but those who feel it should be okay to have fully exposed breasts and nipples in public. Sex is very natural too and yet society does not accept that in public. I agree, breastfeeding is beautiful and sure it's natural, but why is that a valid argument?

edit To be clear, my wife breast-fed in public and I am all for it. I am just trying to understand the validity of the argument that it should be okay because its "natural". So is peeing, and if someone wanted to pee in public in a hygienic way, such as into a bottle, no one would accept that, in fact, he might get a ticket or get arrested.

Because we expect adults to be able to control themselves and have sex in appropriate areas. When a baby is hungry, it needs to be fed, and you can't expect it to time itself around the rest of the world.

Breasts are only sexual organs because of the puritanical prudishness that's swept the US. There's nothing wrong with breasts, nothing inherently sexual, and there's nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public.

Sex in public, on the other hand, is disruptive to the people around. Try having sex without bothering someone or making a scene. It's near impossible unless you're both awful at it.

So, not sure who's making the "natural" argument (it is a patently stupid one), but here's some other arguments:

Babies get hungry. They get hungry in public. When they get hungry in public, they get disruptive to other people. The pretty easy, pretty obvious solution to that is to breastfeed in public.

Breastfeeding isn't recreational. Sex generally is. To the person below who claims urinating isn't recreational, it also doesn't involve a child and obviously urinating on the floor isn't particularly respectful of other people or practical.

I think it's terribly isolating (and arguably sexist) to make a woman leave the room to breastfeed because it shouldn't be "public." And this is particularly harsh given that this period of child rearing can be a really, really isolating experience for a lot of women where connecting with other people and friends can already be really challenging.

It isn't always even possible. When a baby's hungry and there's no private place nearby (this is incredibly common, and no, fuck you, my wife is not going to feed our child in the bathroom--that is disgusting), then you feed them in public. End of story.

There is nothing sexual or lewd about breasts when it comes to breastfeeding. It's just some people's puritan, closed-minded upbringing that is leading them to think some incredibly stupid things.

For the record, I personally believe people in public are lucky to get a glimpse at my wife's rack, which is spectacular. And if they're too priggish to appreciate it, well, that's their problem.

No woman wants to expose her breast in public to breastfeed, I assure you. Sometimes though it is inevitable. The purpose of breasts is to feed babies not to be leered and frankly I think the men who are offended by it are slightly pervy. Babies need to be fed and when they are breastfed, this is where it comes from. Would you rather a screaming baby or a quiet one on the breast? There is the added little kicker in this: one of the best ways to prevent obesity in children is long breastfeeding and yet people constantly whinge about it. It is a little hypocritical don't you think?

In NYC it is perfectly legal for women to walk around topless whether nursing or not.

The real question, in my opinion, is why women are required to cover up their boobs at all? Is it because men can't control themselves? Is it because we don't want to explain to our children that breasts exist?

Well I respect your right as a parent to make that decition for your kids, but please dont force my kids to do so because you think it is right. It is much easier for everyone t cover your breast and be respectful of others. The same way you dont like to see my penis when I pee, or the same way you dont like to see me having sweet loving sex with my wife. It´s all natural and part of the human experience, but we shouldn´t force it onto other because those things belong to the privacy of people

It is not narrow minded, it is actually quite open minded, if you want to breast feed in public then PLEASE DO SO! its certainly your right! but it is not your right to go naked in public! we can all be open minded and respect each other´s rights at the same time. If you are close minded enough to not be able to see this then it is not my fault.

That is incorrect, holding hand in public or kissing doesn't involve showing your private parts. If someone doesn't like that or feels uncomfortable too bad for them!

In the society we live nowadays there are certain parts of the body that are considered private and should remain covered. The same way you don't like to see my balls or penis then why should I be forced to see your naked breast?

And yes a baby moves, but one thing is showing your breast by accident and a completely different thing is not having the minimum respect for the ppl around you not trying in any way to cover yourself.